AARRRRGH!! Lousy stinkin' cold

Gossman Knives

Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
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I've avoided catching a cold so far. But out of nowhere, I've got one now! :mad: How do you guys deal with a cold while doing your knife work? What I mean is I have a rough time concentrating while grinding if I'm feeling like crap. You can't breathe right especially when you have a dust mask or respirator on. Oh and your nose dripping on your work, AAAHHH that irritates me! I feel like a sack of sh*** today and just want to stay in bed. I have some grinding and sheath work but I just don't feel like it. And to top it off I made plans with a friend of mine to go on a day hike on the Appalation Trail in PA. so we can test out big knives on Wed. Hope I feel better by then. So what do you guys do when your feeling like crap but not to the point your bed ridden from it.
Scott
 
Higgy, Are you using that as a mixer? :D Scott, my wife has a goodone now and I sure hope I don't catch her's. My shop is the safest place for me. She don't come out there and its to cold for germs this time of year.
 
Raymond Richard said:
Higgy, Are you using that as a mixer? :D Scott, my wife has a goodone now and I sure hope I don't catch her's. My shop is the safest place for me. She don't come out there and its to cold for germs this time of year.
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Funny you should say that, because if the stuff weren't so darn good for ya, it might make a nice highball mixed with some vodka. :D
 
As for the running nose during a cold, I use a saline spray to wash all the crap out my sinuses helps a lot more than an antihistamine spray.
This helps a lot more when the cause is allergy related, as it gets rid of the junk irritating the nose,causing it to run.
Antihistamines just mask the symptoms, and do little to get rid of the cause.
The Vitamin C helps, too.
 
keep the mask on, it actually does help with the respiratory problems.
the last ditch effort to get rid of a cold is to suck warm salt water up your nose.

Don't do this at the dinner table though,...it's kinda messy :barf:
 
The Emergen C stuff works well, but it taste like crap. It works wonder on colds, and the benedryl will usually dry you up (you might fall asleep though).
 
My advice, stay out of the shop if you are not feeling good. You will screw up the knife, or get hurt, or both. A good ol' whiskey hot toddie is good for a miserable cold or croup. I have a lot of back pain, and when I'm having a rough day, I don't even unlock the shop door.
 
John Andrews said:
My advice, stay out of the shop if you are not feeling good. You will screw up the knife, or get hurt, or both. A good ol' whiskey hot toddie is good for a miserable cold or croup. I have a lot of back pain, and when I'm having a rough day, I don't even unlock the shop door.
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This is usually the path I take. Like the warning on the cold medicene box reads "don't drive or operate machinery while taking this product" Hell I've got to drive, but you're right John, it would be easy to mess up a knife because of lack of concentration. Thanks for the remedy suggestions guys. I like hot herbal tea and chicken soup when I feel like this. I usually don't get to many colds but when you have kids in school they always bring some kind of germ home with them. Mine are older now with my daughter in middle school, it's better then when they were in elementary.
Scott
 
I'm one of the lucky knifemakers, my shop is heated and air conditioned. I have to walk with forearm crutches, so I don't do any forging, therefore I stay in the shop instead of outdoors in the cold. The only time I work outdoors is when I use my propane forge to heat treat carbon steel blades. The crutches are just a minor inconvenience anymore and there are people in a lot worse shape than I am, so you just adapt and keep on trucking.
 
Tom Militano said:
I'm one of the lucky knifemakers, my shop is heated and air conditioned. I have to walk with forearm crutches, so I don't do any forging, therefore I stay in the shop instead of outdoors in the cold. The only time I work outdoors is when I use my propane forge to heat treat carbon steel blades. The crutches are just a minor inconvenience anymore and there are people in a lot worse shape than I am, so you just adapt and keep on trucking.
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Excellent attitude, Tom. I like your style. It always impresses and amazes me how we knifemakers seem to be the most-resilient and tenacious people on the planet. :)
 
I noticed that we're a lot better looking than other people too, with the exception of Indian George. The man has got to quit bobbing for french fries.
 
Boy I feel alot better today. I'm getting over this one pretty quick. My chicken soup and tea helped. Monday nite at work was the worst. I didn't think I'd make it through the nite. I also got plenty of rest the past two days. I was back at the grinder today working on the KITH knife. Tomorrow heading for the mountains to play with some knives. :D
Scott
 
It always impresses and amazes me how we knifemakers seem to be the most-resilient and tenacious people on the planet.
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Yah... my teachers aren't overly pleased about that (the tenacious part). Anyway, we have to be resilient, otherwise we wouldn't be knife making. Think of all of the injuries and health risks. Getting stabbed and cut is garunteed, you work with explosive gas, and 1500 degree metal, belts, buffers, etc. Everyone who can't stand that has given up.

Edit: Good to hear that your feeling better.
 
I'm glad that you are feeling better, Scott. Put on an extra layer for the trail, I'm sure it's beautiful with the snow we've had, but it will be a bit nippy!
 
For what it's worth, I'm with John - I stay the hell out of the shop when I'm not feeling good, even if I'm tired. I know there are makers who work with a few beers under their belt but not me! I'd hate to screw up 20 hrs work because I was being "overconfident." When I'm sick - and I'm the biggest wuss in the world when I'm sick, just ask my wife - I just go to bed early and stay there as late as I can. And take a lot of naps and vitamins. Hot Toddy? Sure! :D Not that it does anything but mask the symptoms but where's the bad in that? ;)

Glad you're feeling better Scott, have fun in the mountains tomorrow. I'll be wishing I were there!
 
Thanks guys. I was hoping to feel better because we always take a trek to the mountains this time of year to create some excitement with knives. :D It's a boring time of year with not much to do outside. We crow hunt and look forward to when we can get out and shoot some groundhogs in the spring but there's not much else going on. All the shows are coming up. I've got three gunshows in Feb. and we're going to the Sportsmen's show in Harrisburg, PA. That show in PA. has several knifemakers that set up every year. I'll look them up and bend their ears a little. :D It's almost time to head out the door. I hope to have some pics of today's "adventure" :D
Scott
 
Tom Militano said:
I noticed that we're a lot better looking than other people too, with the exception of Indian George. The man has got to quit bobbing for french fries.
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I got to watch you guys ever minute.
:mad: :mad: Don't forget I do not get mad but I do get even.
I haven'g had a cold in two years now, since I put on weight and weigh over 210#. It also could be from all the Buds that I drink. :eek: :D
 
George, I think it's from the relish. Germs can't live in a persons system if they've been using your relish. I put some on a cut once and before I could get a bandaid on it had already healed up and turned to scar tissue. My doctor is wanting to try some in the emergency room.
 
I stay in bed, and eat alot more. I find that eating (even when not hungry) tends to keep my energy level up enough to fight off the bug that got me. of course that may be why I have picked up 35 pounds in the last 2 years or so.

Tom....where in Bama?

Doc
 
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